Massachusetts Genealogy, With a Focus on Mayflower Families & Other Early Settlers of Plymouth & Barnstable Counties

Welcome! I really enjoy exchanging information with people and hope this blog will help with that. I am not an expert and I consider most of my research as a work in progress. Some of the surnames I'm researching:

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Richard Warren is one of my Mayflower ancestors. Last July I wrote about him and his wife Elizabeth Walker here. I am so fortunate that Stuart, a Warren descendant who lives in England, found that post and contacted me.

He went to Great Amwell, Herfordshire, where Richard Warren married his wife Elizabeth Walker in 1610 and where she was christened in 1583. Stuart generously shared some photos he took and gave permission for me to share them here.

Stuart wrote that the village's proximity to London attracted some well-to-do families in the 1600s, such as the Walker family, and continues to do so today.

St. John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell

Interior of the Church

Church entrance

Stuart wrote that records suggest this has been the
main entrance to the church for at least 850 years, if not longer. The west tower
can be seen at the end of the path. Documents suggest a wooden church stood on the
grounds as early as 800AD. Roman finds suggest an even
earlier building, probably religious.

Rev. Richard Hassall lived at the home of Elizabeth's parents, Augustine and Mary Walker, and he referred to their home as being on Amwell Street, a term he used for the area near the church.

Amwell Pool

Stuart discovered that the picturesque Amwell Pool is located on site of original
fresh water springs that Saxons wrote about as health giving. The ornamental pool
was created about 150 years after the Warrens migrated.

New River in Great Amwell

What a beautiful place for a walk! According to Stuart, the New River was dug at this
location 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep in 1604, so the Walkers would have seen the
project started. It was finished in 1613 at 10 feet wide. It is still called the New River 400 years later.

Even the post boxes in the village are quaint and pretty

Stuart wrote that this post box is 80 years old and subject to a preservation order.

A lovely village sign

George V Inn, Great Amwell

The George V Inn is built on what was the village green in the 1600s, according to Stuart's research. The road
going downhill to the left used to lead to the summer pasture, marsh and reed
growing beds and much valued common pasture on the valley floor. The road to the right was at a very early time the
main road along the west side of the valley but by 1250 a new north road a
quarter mile west of the church meant this old centre of Amwell had been
bypassed.

Thank you, Stuart, for sharing your wonderful photographs. It certainly gives me an idea of what the area was like.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

John Dillingham, the son of
Edward and Ursula (Carter) Dillingham, was born circa 1629 probably in
Cottesbach, Leicestershire, England.

John married Elizabeth Feake on
24 March 1650/51 at Sandwich, Massachusetts, daughter of Henry and Jane
(Woolstone) Feake. She was baptized at St. Peter's Cornhill, London, 30 June
1633.

The births of John and
Elizabeth’s children are not recorded, but they are shown in his probate and
other records:

1.Rebecca who married William Gray

2.Hannah who married Zebulon Throp

3.John who married Lydia Chapman

4.Sarah who married Jeremiah Jones

I descend through their
daughter Sarah. I have read there is an old family Bible that contains
information on seven Dillingham generations but do not know where it is
located.

Some genealogists have written
that John married, 2nd, another Elizabeth, maiden name unknown. One
indication that Elizabeth Feake was his only wife is that his will refers to his
wife as his son John’s mother.

Although the Dillinghams were
members of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, John still served in the Yarmouth
militia with the rank of Lieutenant. Some Quakers refused to participate in the
militia because it conflicted with their religious belief of
pacifism.

John was close friends with
John Wing who was also a Quaker. John Wing was married to Elizabeth Dillingham,
John’s sister. Their land was adjoining. Historian and author Josiah Paine said
it would be an honor for any community to have them as leaders. He refers to John
as a quiet man who did not hold public office. He was one of the wealthiest men
in Yarmouth.

As early as 1681 John
Dillingham held Quaker meetings at his home near Bound Brook. The Quakers in
Harwich were not jeered at as in other towns and were peacable citizens. They
paid taxes for the Congregational Minister until 1691 and then again in 1702
until 1728. It wasn’t uncommon for Quakers to be fined or jailed for refusing to
pay the ministerial tax as he was not of their religious persuasion.

John Dillingham's fine old salt
box home still stands on Main Street (Route 6A) in Brewster. His son John
inherited his father’s land and it stayed in the family for generations. He
lived in an area that was first considered part of Yarmouth and then Harwich,
but is present day Brewster.

John Dillingham house in Brewster

Jeremiah Diggs wrote that John
Dillingham gave the Indians a grand hornswoggling for his land, but the exact
year in which his house was built cannot be determined. Later owners have put
the year of 1660 on it but Dillingham didn't come to Brewster until about 1668.
On June 24 of that year, he bought the lot for this house from Thomas Prence.
John came down from Sandwich after his neighbor John Wing had gone there and
sent back word saying, in effect, "There is a chance to make a killing here if
you get in on the ground floor, John. With these Indians, it's like taking candy
from a kid." John came, bought up everything in sight, and died at 85, the
richest man in town.

In 1653 he was of Sandwich. He
and John Wing were the first settlers in the area. He bought No. 6 and 7 of
original lots in Harwich (later Brewster)—Harwich was considered part of
Yarmouth for some time. In 1676 he was charged tax of 6 pounds, 17 shillings, 9
pence for "charges of the late war." This shows what a large landholder he was,
as most people were charged significantly less.

Thomas Prence built a
water-powered corn grist mill in 1662, and John Dillingham soon after
constructed a fulling mill nearby with Joseph Wing and Kenelm Winslow. Fulling
mills processed wool by shrinking and thickening with moisture, heat and
pressure.

Vintage postcard of Brewster Fulling Mill

John Dillingham witnessed the
will of his good friend and brother-in-law John Wing on 2 May 1696.

John died at Harwich (now
Brewster) on 21 May 1715. “Mr John Diligham died in May the 21 day 1715.” He is
buried at the Old Burying Ground, aka Dillingham Cemetery, in
Brewster.

"Here Lyes ye Body Mr. John
Dillingham aged about 85 years decd May ye 21st 1715." It is a slate stone with
an engraved winged skull. His stone is the oldest surviving one in the
graveyard.

John Dillingham's gravestone

John Dillingham wrote his will
on 15 November 1707. He gives his loving wife Elizabeth her widow’s thirds and
one-half of the orchards during her widow hood. He refers to her as a “weakly
woman” and the will is worded to ensure she maintains possession of his house.
He appointed Elizabeth and son John Dillingham executors. The will also named
his daughters Hannah Thorpe and Rebecka Gray and the two children of Sarah
Jones. In addition to land Hannah and Rebecka were each to receive 40 pounds and
the grandchildren 30 pounds in addition to the goods they were receiving.

John Dillingham’s inventory was
taken on 24 June 1715, totaling over 993 pounds. It includes:

wearing apparel

silver
plate

silver
money

money due by
bonds

iron, pewter,
brass, earthenware

cupboard, trunk, chairs,
table

books

sheeps wool, flax, linen,
wooley yarn

sheep, cows, horse

lumber

housing land and
meadows

Elizabeth died at Harwich (now
Brewster) on 15 December 1720, “Mrs. Elezebeth Dillingham the relex of Leut.
John Dillingham deceased died the 15 day of December in the 73 year of her age.”

She is buried next to John. Her
stone is in poorer condition than her husband’s."Here Lies ye
Body of Elizabeth Dillingham wife to John Dillingham decd Decr ye 15 1720 in ye
73 (rest buried in ground)."

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Ephraim Washburn is my fourth great-grandfather. He was born in Plymouth on 21 August 1794, the only child of Seth and Deborah (Wright) Washburn. His parents were in their 50s and 40s respectively when he was born and between them had eight children from previous marriages. Ephraim’s birth is not recorded in Plymouth Vital Records, but is calculated from his age at death.

Ephraim married Mary Lucas at Plymouth on 7 November 1822. Their marriage was performed by Rev. James Kendall and recorded in Plymouth Vital Records. Mary was born Carver 12 October 1792, the daughter of Ephraim and Azubah (Pratt) Lucas. Note that James Kendall was a minister at the First Parish Church in Plymouth.

First Parish Church, Plymouth, ca 1907

Although he was the youngest son, Ephraim was named the executor of his father Seth's estate in June 1826.

Mary and Ephraim lived in the Chiltonville neighborhood of Plymouth. On a circa 1857 map of the village, it shows E. Washburn living on the end of what became Russell Mills Road, now Jordan Road. His home was across from the Russell Mills Cotton Duck Factory. At that time there was a Baptist Church listed on the same road, maybe where later was a Methodist/Episcopal chapel next to the old cemetery.

Ephraim’s son Seth lived on this same road, so perhaps he inherited his father’s home.

3.Seth, born 16 March 1828, married Mary Briggs Bumpus, served in Civil War, died Plymouth 12 March 1921.

4.Hannah born 09 May 1832, married William Bearce/Bearse in 1854, died Plymouth 18 May 1909.

1850 census, Plymouth:

Washburn, Ephraim, 56, works in the iron works

Washburn, Polly, 58

Danforth, Mary, 25

not named , age 3/12, male

Hannah, age 18

Zuba Lucas, 93, f

Seth Washburn, 22, seaman

Notes: Polly must be Mary’s nickname. Mary Danforth is their daughter and the male baby would be her son Ichabod. I believe Ichabod was illegitimate, so not sure if the Danforth is really her surname. Her later marriage to Tilden Pierce is called her first marriage. Zuba Lucas would be Mary’s mother Azubah Pratt Lucas.

Mary died between 1860, when she is named in the census, and 1865, when Ephraim is called a widower in the state census. Her date of death and burial location are not known, but I would guess she is buried at Russell Mills Cemetery in an unmarked grave.

At age 72, Ephraim married second Deborah Morton. I love that Ephraim was optimistic enough to marry at that age!

Their marriage is recorded in Massachusetts Vital Records:

6 December 1866, Ephraim Washburn, of Plymouth, 72, of Plymouth, farmer, 2nd marriage, son of Seth and Deborah

Ephraim Washburn died Plymouth 25 November 1870 at age 76.He is buried at Russell Mills Cemetery but no headstone survives.

Russell Mills Cemetery, Plymouth

The Plymouth Old Colony Newspaper had an announcement of Ephraim’s death in November 1870:

“In Chiltonville, 25th, Mr. Ephraim Washburn, 76 yrs., 3 mos.”

MA VR also has his death recorded, Vol: 230 ; Page: 333 :

25 Nov 1870, Ephraim Washburn, M, married, 76, 3, 4, marasmus senilis, which I’ve read is just a fancy Latin way of saying he died of old age. Of Plymouth, born Plymouth, farmer, father Ephraim b. Plymouth (note: this is an error as father was Seth).

Deborah was appointed the executrix of Ephraim’s estate in April 1871 but she died soon after has there is a new administrator mentioned in December 1871.

Ephraim’s will was dated 11 Jan 1867, written in Plymouth and stating he was in good health and of sound and disposing mind and memory. He appoints wife Deborah his executrix and leaves her all of his estate as long as she remains unmarried, with the remainder after her death going to his children or their heirs. It was witnessed by George Whiting, A. Mason and L. E. Damin

Ephraim Washburn's signature from his will

The inventory of Ephraim Washburn late of Plymouth was conducted 12 January 1871. On 25 April 1871 John H. Harlow, Leander Lovell and Lemuel Bradford made oath to accuracy of inventory. Real estate worth $400 and personal estate valued at $582.46. On 26 April 1871 Deborah Washburn made oath before judge also.

In another document, Deborah Washburn represents Ephraim Washburn who died possessed of personal estate and she is his widow and has under her charge a family consisting of herself, that she is almost helpless from infirmity. Signed by Deborah Washburn on 17 April 1871. At probate court held at North Bridgewater on 3rd Monday of April 1871, since she is the widow and is entitled to an allowance.

Another document concerns the appointment of Stephen Doten, JBS Hadaway, James E. Clark to appraise on oath the estate and effects of Ephraim Washburn late of Plymouth and deliver this order to John Harlow administrator of the will, 11 Dec 1871. Inventory of real estate given as $911.00, no personal estate, dated 12 Feb 1872, signed by same three men.

An accounting of John Harlow, administrator of the estate of Ephraim Washburn late of Plymouth, charged himself with amounts received: $78.24 (Schedule A); allowed for sundry payments and charges 65.75 (Schedule B), balance $12.49. The undersigned were parties interested, examined and allowed for the accounting: First names very faint and hard to read, could by Lucy _ Thomas, Seth Washburn (his mark), Mary Pierce, Hannah Bearse. On the second Monday of February 1874 it was requested by the interested parties that it should be allowed.

Note: Lucy, Seth, Mary and Hannah are all Ephraim’s children, although Lucy’s married name was Sherman.

Schedule A:

24 April 1873, Cash for rent of Wm M. Lapham, 24.50

3 Dec 1873, Cash for rent of Benjamin B. Besse 43.50

13 Jan 1874, Cash for rent of Joshua Standish by Ellis Whitney $10

21 Jan 1874, Cash for rent by Benjamin B. Besse 24 cents

Total 78.24.

Schedule B:

Paid cash for stamps Dec 11, 1871, $2

Gustavus S. Bates bill Feb 13 1872 .50

Stephen Doten and others (appraising) $6

Town tax for year 1871 $6.88

Town tax for year 1872 6.56

Town tax for year 1873 6.56

F.H. Churchill's bill December 1873 3.65

Benjamin B. Besse's bill Dec 1, 1873 3.60

Charge for administration $30

Total 65.75

Schedule of Personal Estate

Money in Plymouth Savings Bank $516.46

Household furniture

Cook stove $3

6 wooden chairs 1.50

Desk 5

sofa 2

L. _lan(?) .50

2 tables 2

clocks .50

stand 1

carpet 20

2 feather beds 20

2 bedsteads 1

2 straw beds .50

air tight stove 4

sundry small articles 5

Total $582.46

Schedule of real estate

Homestead including house and barn and about 7 acres ___ $700

Woodland about 20 acres 211

Total 911.00

There is also an earlier schedule of real estate, different writing, value matches earlier inventory. House and lots comprising homestead at Russell Mills Plymouth and wood lot at Chiltonville $400.

In 1657 Ezra was listed as a lieutenant in the militia. In 1671 he was on a committee to view damage done by Indians to horses and hogs belonging to the English. In 1674 and 1677 he served on Grand Inquest juries. In 1679 he was appointed Constable.

On 10 July 1663 Thomas Burgess deeded land at Mannomett (Manamet)to his son-in-law Esra Perrey, planter. Thomas had purchased the land from Myles Standish who had in turn purchased it from Josias, a Nauset Sachem. The land adjoined land where Ezra already had his house. This area was also called Herring River Village in North Sandwich.

In his April 1684 will, Thomas Burgess bequeathed two lots of land to son Ezra Perry as well as additional land if his son Joseph Burgess declines the conditions of land left to him. Ezra and Joseph were co-executors.

Ezra conveyed land to his sons as gifts, probably as they reached age of majority. Each was also given a marriage portion of livestock and furniture.

In 1680 the Perry family purchased lands along the south bank of the Manomet (later Monument) River, in an area that is now the village of Bourne. Some descendants in that town say the family settled there much earlier, but the town records don't prove this.

In 1627, the early Plymouth settlers opened the Aptucxet Trading Post in what is now Bourne. Thomas Burgess purchased the land and then it went to his daughter Elizabeth who was married to Ezra Perry. The property remained in the Perry family for more than 200 years.

The four sons of Ezra Perry--Samuel, Ezra Jr., John and Benjamin--built their cabin in this area and many of the people residing at Bourne have seen the vestiges of this home (this was ca 1890). Tradition says these four sons traded at Herring River and when they returned home at night they would shelter themselves behind a large rock near their house and fire three or four bullets through the door to drive out any lurking Indians. The rock can be seen on land owned by Ordello R. Swift, near the flagstaff in his yard (1890).

Ezra died 16 October 1689 at age 64 in Sandwich, Mass. His gravestone is among the oldest surviving stones at the Old Town Cemetery in Sandwich and is engraved with a small winged skull. The inscription reads:

HERE LYES Ye BODY
OF EZRA PERRY
AGED 64 YEARS
DIED OCTo Ye 16
1689

Ezra Perry Gravestone source: Capecodgravestones.com

Elizabeth Burgess Perry died 26 September 1717 at age 88. She is buried next to her husband at the Old Town Cemetery.

The Mayflower Descendant published a transcription of Ezra Perry’s will which was written in on 16 October 1689, the day of his death:

The will of "Ezra Perry Snr of of manument and Towne of Sandwich" made 16 October, 1689, after providing that his body be buried "at ye ordinary place of burring," disposes of his estate as follows: "All my outward moveables, with out doars and with in doars to my truly and well beloved wife, as my true undoubted and Lawful Executrix .... to dispose of at her pleasure Excepting what I Leave and bequeath to my well beloved Son Samuel Perry that is two stiers of two and one heifer of four years, one mare Coult one Bed and furniture be Longing thereto one gun one Sword and Bandaleers one Iron pot, to my well beloved Son Benjamin Perry two Cowes two steeres about three years old one bed- and its ffurniture one gun one Sword To my Daughter Remember too Cows one bed and its ffurniture, one meare and all her Increse, also to my Son Ezra one Shilling To John Perry my Son one Shilling to Deborah my Daughter wife to Seth Pope one Shilling To Sarah wife to Epharim Swift one Shilling"

The will was signed by a mark. It was witnessed by Jacob Burge (who made his mark) and James Steuart, and probated 18 April 1690.

The inventory, taken 24 October 1689, by Elisha Bourne and Nathaniel Wing, was sworn to by "Elizabeth Perry ye Relict of ye above sd Ezra Perry" on 18 April 1690. The will and inventory were recorded 22 April 1690 by Joseph Lothrop, recorder.

Ezra’s inventory included steers, cows, a bull, horses, swine, tobacco, a sword, pewter and brass and totaled 78 pounds, 8 shillings. It did not included real estate, so perhaps Ezra had already deeded his land to his children.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

May 6, 2012: Thanks to Marge Howes Perry for sending me information that proves Rebecca Baker's parents were Shubael Baker and Rebecca Chase. Samuel and Rebecca Baker did have a daughter Rebecca, but not the one who married David Howes.

My last blog entry on David Howes and his wife Rebecca Baker (see the entry here) reminded me that I haven’t written very much about my Baker ancestors. I suppose that’s because I find them inordinately confusing!

Samuel was born in Yarmouth (now Dennis) on 4 June 1732 to Samuel and Patience (Ryder) Baker. (I’ve also seen Patience’s maiden name as Berry).

Samuel married Rebecca Baker in Yarmouth (now Dennis) on 4 December 1755. She was born Dennis on 25 April 1738, so she was just 17 years old. Her parents were Judah Baker and Mercy Burgess.

Dennis Vital records lists three children born to Samuel and Rebecca:

1.Samuel Baker born 19 of May 1759

2.Zepheniah Baker born 9 of July 1761

3.Rebeckah Baker born 23 of August 1763

Rebecca died in Dennis on 14 May 1765. Rev. Nathan Stone’s diary says that Samuel Bakers wife died in “child bed” so she must have given birth to a fourth child.

Samuel married second Sarah ______. Dennis Vital Records has the birth of four children:

1.Thacher Baker born 24 of Decr 1767

2.Susanna Baker born 16 of August 1770

3.Samuel Baker born 13 of Jany 1788

4.Zepheniah Baker born 26 of Novr 1789

It does seem odd that there would be such a large gap between Susanna and Samuel's births, but this is what is written in the Dennis Vital Records and was published in the Mayflower Descendant as well. Swift’s 1912 work on the Baker family only gives the first two children for Samuel and Sarah.

Nancy Thacher Reid in her book on Dennis history has a chapter on Rev. Stone's diary and mentions his entry on Rebecca Baker's death in child bed. She also states that her husband Samuel was the man mentioned in the diary as being a Quaker "by profession" who died 14 Feb 1766, and that Rebecca may not have been a Quaker. If this is the case, then Samuel would not have married a second time and had additional children.

The diaries do mention a Samuel Baker quite frequently from the years 1765-1778, but perhaps he is talking about more than one Samuel. He mentions catechizing his children and preaching at his house, which wouldn't be the case if he was a Quaker.

If Samuel was not the one who died in 1766, I have not found his death or burial information. I have not found burial information on either of his wives. Perhaps they were too poor to afford gravestones or the stones didn't survive. Or, if they were Quakers, they often didn't use gravestones because of the perceived ornamentation.

So my Samuel Baker information is as clear as mud! If anyone has any information on Samuel, please drop me a note!

Sources Not Listed Above:

Charles F. Swift, Library of Cape Cod History and Genealogy, The Baker Family of Yarmouth, Descendants of Francis, No. 73, 1912

About Me

I'm a Massachusetts native, a wife, mother of three and a genealogy nut. I work at a Senior Center planning activities and trips. My other loves include crafting, home decorating, reading, my three rescue dogs, and the Red Sox and the Boston Bruins. Email: Please contact me at: tessiecami(at)gmail(dot)com. If you're not a computerized robot, you'll know where to put the "at" sign and "dot." Thank you!